Penelope’s. P.O.V.
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*Two weeks into pregnancy*

Harry finally convinced me to move- but not like I had expected. He is wanting to buy a completely brand-new house to raise our kids. I didn’t want that, of course, and I tried to change his mind. But, he’s already looking for houses.

Harry pulled in the last of his three bags into my apartment, pushing it inside and taking a seat on it.

“All done,” he breathed heavily.
“Babe I could’ve helped,” I assured.

“No way,” he chuckled, standing up. “Not with this,” he whispered, holding my stomach.
I rose my eyebrow and stared him down, “I’m not incapable.”

“I know baby girl,” he smiled, “trust me.”

He hugged me and kissed my forehead gently.

“Where can I put these?” He asked, gesturing to his bags.
“Depends on where you’re sleeping, love. Either in the spare bedroom or in my bedroom- whichever is comfortable.”

He nodded and headed down the hallway with his bags, dropping them off in my room.
“There should be space in my closet and dresser,” I called back.

I quickly tidied around the house before heading back into my room. There Harry sat, sifting through his bags and placing clothes in the spare dresser.

“I’m sorry for the move,” I apologized.
He jumped and held his chest- taking a deep breath. “You scared the hell out of me,” he chuckled.

He calmed down and stood, moving over to me and grabbing my hand. “Babe it’s only temporary. Soon, we will work out a place and we can be happy.”
“Still I…” I stuttered, “I don’t think a brand-new house is necessary.”

“Well I think it is,” he sassed.
“Just please let me get back to my job so I can help pay,” I begged.

He sighed and rubbed his face. “Baby-”
“No Harry. Don’t take all the responsibility. Just let me work until my maternity leave is in play.”

“Penelope that’s 11 weeks before your due date. That’s months of you working a dangerous job while holding our baby,” he murmured.
“Harry,” I breathed, holding his face. “I have to work or else I’ll get fired, and I can’t let that happen.”

He sat on my bed and nodded in agreement. “Just if you ever- and I mean EVER, feel overwhelmed or anything you will call or come home.”
“Agreed.” I nodded, “I only need to go into work when my work needs me.”

He nodded and rested his chin on his hand.

“Baby I know you’re worried. I promise I’ll be okay,” I assured whilst cupping his face.

He nodded and stood up, cupping my face in return. And like yesterday, his face got close to mine. I could feel his breath on my face- his eyes searching mine. He examined me thoroughly and I felt myself blush in return. A smiled formed on his face as he noticed my flushed demeanor. But to my dislike, he pulled away and turned back to his bags; continuing to unpack his baggage.

***

“Penelope!” Harry called.
“Yeah?” I cried back.

“Come back here,” he said, “Louis called and he wants you to listen as well.”

I placed the kitchen towel on the counter and walked back into our bedroom. Harry sat on one side with his phone in his hand. I took a seat next to him and laid my head on his shoulder.

“Alright Lou, she’s here and you’re on speaker.” Harry chimed.
“Alright,” Louis breathed. “I just have to say it bluntly; they know.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, “who is ‘they’?”
“The fans.” He muttered.

“What exactly do they know, Lou?” Harry cracked.
“Penelope, they know your name, what you look like, where you’re from and probably much more. There’s obviously conspiracies of a pregnancy because they got coverage of you both at a baby outlet.” He whispered.
“Shit,” I cursed.

“I’m going to send you a link,” Louis interrupted. “The both of you need to watch it.”
“Alright,” Harry sighed. “We’ll get on it. Thank you, Lou.”

“Yeah, thank you Louis. I appreciate the heads up.” I smiled.
“Of course. I’m sorry you guys,” he exhaled. “Stay strong.”

Harry hung up and went to his messages- clicking on the link Louis just sent. In it, YouTube opened to a video from a news channel. We sat impatiently as it loaded.

“News from our favorite ex-boy bandmate Harry Styles has us on our toes,” mutters the excited reporter. “A mystery woman has seemingly become a part of his life. Now all fans speculate but we have the details on her. And this is no mystery woman, for she is Penelope Van Oppen; a young 25-year-old resident of Virginia. Now her job is unknown as of now, but there’s a bigger issue afoot. A worker at a store that holds baby supplies noticed the couple browsing toys and even buying a crib. Is Harry going to become a father and join former band mates Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne? Because like you all, if it’s true, I’m totally freaking out! We’ve always thought about what Harry’s little ones would look like! But there’s a main question- are they together? We only now have just started to see them with one another. Witnesses have her outside of Harry’s apartment a few days ago where earlier his band mates along with his mother and sister showed up. Are they dating? I know all our fangirl hearts are breaking to know but we’ll just have to watch and see. I am Veronica and thank you for watching. Please subscr- “

He shut off his phone and tossed it on the bed. It was silent with rough tension.

“Harry…” I whispered, “I am so sorry.”
“I’m not,” he replied.

“What do you mean?” I asked worryingly.
“I’m not sorry! So what? I found a lovely girl who gave me the gift of becoming a dad! Fuck what they think, I am happy and I do NOT regret anything!” He shouted.

“Harry I just-” I started.
“Penelope stop... I THANK you.” He cried, holding onto my shoulders gently.

I sighed with relief, “Thank you, as well babe.”
He smiled softly and wrapped me in a tight hug.

***

I sat in the room over from Harry who was currently on a very angry phone call with someone named Jeffrey. I have no idea what to do other than sit and wait for it to end. His voice was loud and heated; it rang throughout my apartment.

Finally, after a full ten minutes, he stops talking and I hear him groan. I stood and entered my bedroom to see him lying on our bed, rubbing his face frustratingly.

“Babe…” I whispered, walking over to him.
He hummed in response.

“What was that about…” I asked, sitting next to him.

I hugged my knees to my chest and waited patiently.

He sighed, “it was my managing company.”
“Oh,” I whispered. “What did they have to say?”

“They’re worried about the news coverage. They want to meet at 3 tomorrow,” he breathed.
“Where is their business based...?” I asked.

“In Los Angeles,” he groaned.
“Well you need to leave now babe,” I rushed.

“There’s an issue,” he muttered.
I sighed, “and that is?”

“They want you to go to the meeting, Penelope.” He said, eyeing me.
I moaned softly. “Okay...I’ll go.”

He sat up and grabbed my hand.

“Are you sure babe?” He asked.
“Yes, but I’m not sure I have a choice,” I muttered.

“Well, pack for two days and a night. I’ll go reserve a hotel room.” He groaned, exiting the room.

I sighed and nodded, rising from my bed and grabbing a bag.

***

Harry sat inside with his manager, who’s name I learned is Jeffrey Azoff, as I sat outside; waiting. Angry voices and yelling emanated from the room.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when the door opened, and there stood a very pissed off Harry.

“Come on in, love.” He sighed.

I nodded and stood up, walking into the room. Jeffrey sat very annoyed behind a desk, tapping his fingers against the table. Harry pulled out my chair and helped me sit down; taking a seat next to me.

“Penelope,” Jeffrey muttered with a plastered smile. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“I could say the same…” I whispered unsurely.

“We all need to talk.” He claimed, seating back in his chair. “As you know, Harry’s career here is on the line. I don’t need to hear the details but I need your affirmation; you are pregnant, correct?”
“Uh y-yes sir,” I answered.

“And it is for sure Harry’s?” He asked.
I chuckled but he didn’t flinch; apparently, he wasn’t joking. I cleared my throat, "um it is 100% his, no doubts about it.”

He exhaled deeply, “are you a couple?”
“Not yet,” Harry intervened.

“Do you both know the coverage the fans got on you guys?” He inquired.
“Yes. We are aware.” Harry hissed.

“Penelope do you know the fans are aware of who you are and your job as an F.B.I. agent?” He demanded.
“I knew they found who I was but...not about my job...” I whispered.

“Are you planning on keeping the baby?” He asked, rubbing his face.
I stood with a disgusted face, “what kind of question is th-”
Harry grabbed my wrist and motioned to my chair. I took a seat defeatedly and crossed my arms; regretably quiet. “We are keeping our baby and plan on buying a house together,” he replied calmly.

“Oh goody,” Jeffrey muttered sarcastically. “Is she aware of the danger of dating a celebrity?”
“Sir, with all due respect,” Harry laughed. “She deals with serial killers; I think she’s good.”

“Oh I bet,” Jeffrey chuckled. “So, this can go two ways.”
“And those are?” I spoke up, my voice cracking a little.

“Either you two become official to the public or I find Harry a replacement,” Jeffrey muttered, picking at his nails.
“Harry can you put that into English for me please,” I jeered.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Either we become more public so the people think we are together or I will be assigned a fake girlfriend so they...forget about you.”
“Well no need to be so harsh,” Jeffrey intervenes. “I would just simply invite the press to care about someone else more.”

“Didn’t make it sound any better sweetie,” I hissed.
Harry wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, quietly shushing me. I took a few deep breaths until I collected myself.

“Listen, sir,” I said. “Whatever you think of me, drop it. I am not some conniving bitch going after his fortune. But I am pregnant and honestly, I really like Harry; like a fucking lot. And I won’t just disappear.”
“Is that a threat?” Jeffrey sneered.

“No, it’s a goddamn promise,” I smirked.
Harry hid his face in my hair and tried as hard as he could to keep his laughing quiet. “I love you dearly,” he whispered in between laughs.

“Well then it’s settled. Now let's open what this deal is,” he replied impatiently. “You two need to do couple things- go on dates, act in love, kiss here and there and voilà!”
I sat clearly confused and unsure.

“He means even if we don’t truly date we need to make the press think we do,” Harry explains in my ear.
I nodded and ciphered my brain. “Sir, I want to actually date Harry. I don’t want to just be some public eye candy.”
“Well that’s how we make money in Hollywood, sweetheart,” he jeered sarcastically.

“Is that all you care about? Cash and press coverage?” I asked sadly.
He chuckled dramatically, “that’s what gives me money baby doll, and like they say, it’s the skills that pays those bills.”

“Yeah? Well fuck it with your skills,” Harry said impatiently. “We will become more public, k? Is that all you need, sir?”
“It is,” Jeffrey sneered. “If there’s an issue I will schedule again. It was a... pleasure, meeting you, Ms. Van Oppen. Happy laboring!”

Harry and I rose and exited his office; both of us clearly heated. Once we were outside the building, I threw my fists in frustration. “Who the hell does he think he is?!” I cursed.
“Baby girl we can talk about this inside the hotel...we have people out here,” he reminded.

“Oh yeah, people. We have to look good for them,” I said sarcastically.
“Penelope, baby, please. Let’s get to the hotel,” he begged.

I nodded and rubbed my eyes, taking deep breaths to level my breathing. His arm snaked around my waist as the valet pulled up with his rented car.

***

Harry was in the bathroom brushing his teeth as I curled up in bed. It still doesn’t make sense to me, though. If I want to be with Harry, I want to be with him- not with the goddamn public! But, yet again, it’s his job and I just popped in with a cake saying “I’m pregnant” and expecting all clear seas ahead. Is this what I have to get used to?

Harry walked over to the bed in just his boxer briefs and climbed in, pulling me onto his chest. I instinctively reach for his short curls, playing with his hair gently. He closes his eyes and sighs, his free hand tracing my hips.

“Baby. I’m really sorry. You weren’t expecting this lifestyle,” he apologizes, leaving soft kisses on my neck.
“Harry you weren’t expecting me, either. I know you want this to be easy, I mean we both do, but it’s going to be difficult. But we can work through it, right?” I whispered.

“Most definitely,” he hummed, leaving a final kiss on my forehead. “Rest now, my love. Tomorrow we fly home and we can figure out a place to settle.”
I nodded and pulled him closer to me, my head resting on his chest. I closed my eyes and drifted off, excited to have another day with him besides me.

Notes

Sorry I kinda had to make his manager out to be a dick- but I doubt that's how he actually is

Please, to help me with this story check out this forum I made: STORY REVIEW

Thank you again (:

XxX,
Abygail

♡